STOCKTON — San Joaquin County is officially supporting a measure by State Senator Jerry McNerney to upgrade Delta levees and repair the California Aqueduct.
Senate Bill 872 strengthens California’s existing water infrastructure by dedicating $300 million annually over 20 years for critical Delta levee repairs and improvements to existing State Water Project canals south of the Delta.
The legislation invests equally in protecting communities in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta and in stabilizing canals that deliver water to millions of Californians.
“The Delta is not just a regional issue, it is the heart of California’s water system,” said Supervisor Steven Ding who advanced the recommendation to support McNerney’s measure to his colleagues on the county board.
“For too long, we have allowed the conversation to be framed as North versus South,” Ding said. “This bill focuses on something every Californian should agree on, protecting what we already have, fixing what is failing, and doing it before costs spiral further out of control.”
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta includes more than 1,100 miles of levees, many of which were built in the late 1800s.
These levees protect freshwater supplies, guard against saltwater intrusion, and provide flood protection for more than half a million residents, farms, and businesses.
The Delta’s levee system is aging and increasingly vulnerable to failure, posing a serious threat to public safety, private property, and California’s drinking water supply.
A significant breach could allow saltwater intrusion into the freshwater system, disrupt water deliveries statewide, and put lives and livelihoods at risk.
According to the Delta Stewardship Council, the total cost of necessary levee improvements is estimated at approximately $3.24 billion, an investment that would protect roughly $22 billion in critical state assets. In plain terms, reinforcing these levees is not just responsible, it is fiscally responsible.
Supervisor Ding emphasized that this approach represents middle ground at a time when Californians are weary of divisive water battles.
“Californians are already facing rising energy bills, higher grocery costs, and increasing water rates,” Ding said.
“This is about protecting the Delta, reducing flood risk, and strengthening our water system in a way that works for Northern California, Southern California, urban communities, and agriculture alike. There is a responsible path forward, and it starts with maintaining and upgrading what we depend on every single day.”
SB 872 aligns with the County’s Strategic Priorities related to water management, flood risk reduction, sustainability, and Delta protection.
“This is not about politics,” Ding added. “It is about practicality. Protect the Delta. Fix the infrastructure. Keep water flowing. That is something all Californians can stand behind.”
